Charles Vern Mahan

Moline, Illinois Charles V. Mahan, 84, of Moline, died Thursday, October 7, 2004 at Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island. A sharing of memories will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2004 in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline. Visitation will be Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will in National Cemetery on the Rock Island Arsenal Island. Charles Vern Mahan was born June 13, 1920 in Trenton, MO. The son of Alvin Otto and Laura Elizabeth (Renfro) Mahan. He married the former Thelma L. Fair on December 24, 1940 in Trenton, MO. She preceded him in death on October 19, 1988. He then married Khoun (Kham) Thiravong on May 25, 1996 in Moline. Charles was employed as a Locomotive Engineer on the Rock Island Railway for 41 years, retiring in 1984. During the late 30's he was a Clarinet Player in the George Hamilton Band in Chicago, IL, then as a welder in the M4 Tank Factory in Hammond, IN and worked in the Carnegie Steel Mills in South Chicago. His first job was elevator operator in the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago. Charles served his country during WW II as a metal smith 2nd class in the U.S. Navy. After retiring he drove the train at Niabi Zoo for a few years. In his younger days he was known as a good athlete, and eve ran an exhibition race against Jesse Owens in 1939 in Trenton, MO. Survivors include his wife, Khoun of Moline; a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Mel Farley of East Moline; a brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Theresa Mahan of East Moline, a son, Michael Mahan of Denver, CO; two stepsons and a daughter-in-law, Kalvin and Kawahi Thiravong and Phetsamone Thiravong; nine, grandchildren, and sixteen, great-grandchildren; she was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Mahan. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com. END OF OBITUARY